Vision Expo is marking its 40th anniversary with a significantly redesigned education experience aimed at improving access, flexibility, and real-world learning for vision care professionals. Produced by RX and The Vision Council, Vision Expo 2026 will bring together optometry, opticianry, allied health, and business education within a unified conference format.
The first fully unified annual Vision Expo will take place March 11–14, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Florida. All conference sessions, workshops, and show floor education will be housed on the same floor and within the same hall, allowing attendees to move seamlessly between education programming and the exhibition floor.
More than 220 hours of accredited continuing education will be offered, beginning March 11, with the exhibit hall opening March 12. Educational content will span clinical care, disease management, practice management, lens innovation, optical technology, digital health, and retail solutions.
Education Enhancements for 2026
Vision Expo 2026 introduces several updates designed to simplify participation and enhance learning outcomes across the eyecare team.
A streamlined registration model allows attendees to select either an Unlimited or Single Day education package, with courses available on a first-come, first-served basis. High-demand sessions encourage early arrival, while workshops remain capacity-limited. Optometry Workshops require a separate purchase, and Education badge scanning will be required for course entry.
The conference will also debut 10 exclusive hands-on courses not offered at any other optical event. These instructor-led sessions feature very limited capacity and focus on practical skills that can be applied immediately in clinical or retail practice.
Continuing education reporting has also been simplified. ABO–NCLE attendees may provide their certification number during registration, allowing credits to be reported automatically following the event. COPE–ARBO participants will enter their OE Tracker number at registration and scan a QR code at the conclusion of each approved course, enabling credits to sync directly to their OE Tracker account. Official CE attendance verification letters will be emailed several weeks after the conference.
“With Vision Expo 2026, we are redefining how education is delivered at an industry event,” said April Stackhouse, Event Vice President of Vision Expo. “This year’s programming was developed to deliver relevant optometry, opticianry, and business education across a broad range of subjects and help every member of the eyecare team succeed.”
Program Highlights
Highlighted optometric sessions include:
- Top 5 Practice Problems & How to Avoid Them
Thursday, March 12, 9:45–10:45 a.m.
Jessilin Quint, OD, FAAO; Dave Kading, OD - Dry Eyes & Myopia Management – When Kids Win and Lose
Thursday, March 12, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Sheila Morrison, OD; Shalu Pal, OD - Putting the OD in AI
Friday, March 13, 2:45–4:45 p.m.
Moderated by Scot Morris, OD, with Selina McGee, OD, and Brianna Rhue, OD
OptiCon course highlights include:
- Creating and Presenting Effective Continuing Education for Opticians
Thursday, March 12, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Encore Friday, March 13, 8:30–9:30 a.m.
Pete Hanlin, ABOM - Explore the Floor: Technology Edition
Thursday, March 12, 2:30–3:30 p.m.
Encore Friday, March 13, 9:45–10:45 a.m.
Cira Collins, MPH, ABOM, NCLEC, LDO - The Ins and Outs of Advanced Scleral Fitting
Friday, March 13, 3:45–4:45 p.m.
Encore Saturday, March 14, 8:30–9:30 a.m.
Nicole Edwards, NCLE-AC
Expanded programming will also include the Myopia Control Program, Low Vision education, the New Technology Showcase, Hands-On Workshops, Vision Series sessions held over breakfast and lunch, and new one-hour Summits addressing priority issues in eye care.
More information on education packages and course offerings for Vision Expo 2026 is available at visionexpo.com.
Source: Vision Expo
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